Chapter 46

1A male or female virgin is not instituted" or appointed 2 by man,” but is voluntarily separated and named [a virgin]. 2B. omits: and. 4Cf. I. 41, p.108, above. 5 M. omits: meek. 10§.B.; Of virginity ; but S. margin (later hand) has: Of monks. But a hand is not laid on him, as for virginity. For this division! is of [their] own free will. But it is right for virgins? that they be fixed and bound in the suffering of a sound body, that they be constant in fasts and in prayers, in weeping and in mourning daily ; but® that they alway expect a departure from the flesh, and strive as at* the departure. Let them not serve® raging or debauchery or drunkenness or vain talking, or [be engaged] in worldly work or in distraction,’ but they are as one who is on’ the cross; let their hearts be [lifted] up, with all meekness of thought and comeliness, with meditation on the Holy Scriptures, with faithful thoughts’ with kind consolations, so that when they pray they may be answered ® concerning those things which they ask for the faithful who wish to provide for them. Let them not despise 1° [these things (?)], so that through them also a portion of life may be divided to those® Let them be confirmed in love and kindness and in true and _ perfect grace.# Let them be constant in consolation,» consoling their neighbours, catechising '* and teaching those who have lately been made faithful, in! understanding and in knowledge and in kindness, inciting * those who are very young, being examples ! of holiness among them in all good things. Similarly also let the females do. But in order and in grace and in knowledge let them speak and work,” that they may truly be the salt of the earth?! as it is called. But”* let females *8 who are virgins have their heads covered in the church, and let them hide only their hair; but let them be counted worthy 10r: class. 2 Mase. 3B. omits: but. 41B.: expect as it were. 5 Or: cultivate. ® Or: enticement. 8§.: thoughts, faithfulnesses (error of one letter). Ul Lagarde puts a stop after ‘‘ask” and goes on: Let them not despise the faithful who . . ., perhaps rightly. 18§.: let them incite. 19 Lit.: types. 20 Or: visit. So S.; M.: old women; S. marg. adds: The name of male and female virgins in Greek are (sic) not distinguished from one another in diction. of honour from every one, in order that the rest [of the women] who desire, may emulate them.